Governor Announces $400 Million Plan to Improve Broadband Infrastructure in Missouri

Broadband infrastructure improvements are on the way. Governor Mike Parson last week announced plans to deploy more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide. Parson said investing in broadband infrastructure is critical to unlocking the state’s full economic potential and will serve Missourians for generations to come. The Governor said the plan was developed through a multi-agency effort designed to address a diverse range of broadband connectivity challenges and is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Missouri families. The plan will be presented to the Missouri General Assembly in January for appropriation.

Schedule Changes for Kirksville Aqauatic Center

Summer is coming to a close, and with it are schedule changes at the Aquatic Center. The wading pools in the city are now closed for the season, and the outdoor Water Park at the Kirksville Aquatic Center will switch to a limited schedule after today. The outdoor Water Park will open on weekends until Labor Day when it closes for the season. The indoor pool will remain open throughout the winter. More information on hours can be found at: kirksvillecity.com/kac

Another 22 Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed Today in Adair County

The Adair County Health Department confirmed another 22 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. The overall total is now 3,045 with 137 active cases and 2,880 people who have left isolation. Five cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. One case involves an employee in the skilled nursing facility sector. Two cases have been confirmed as breakthrough infections of fully vaccinated people. Two hospitalized residents were discharged Aug. 17, including a 75-year-old male admitted to the VA Hospital in Columbia July 29 and a 60-year-old female admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Aug. 15. A fully vaccinated 77-year-old male whose case was reported Aug. 16 was admitted to NRMC Aug. 17. None of these residents required ventilators.

Troop B Conducting DWI Saturation

Troop B of the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be participating in a statewide DWI Saturation that runs from tonight through August 21, at 2am. The goal of this operation is to detect impaired drivers, hazardous moving violations, speeding, and other traffic violations that contribute to traffic crashes.

KPD Offers Back to School Traffic Safety Tips

Summer is coming to a close and it is time for students to go back to school. Students with Truman State University, AT Still University and the Kirksville area schools will soon be back in full swing. The Kirksville Police Department is sharing some traffic safety tips to make this school year a safe one. For drivers, Buckle Up Phone Down. Expect the unexpected! When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Also, remember it’s a state law that vehicles in both lanes must stop when a school bus has its red warning lights flashing and the stop sign is extended. Find the link to a resource with more tips for drivers, for students, and for those riding bikes to school on the Kirksville Police Department’s Facebook page.

Green City Post Office Closed Due to Safety Issue

Residents in Green City are unable to use their post office for now. The post office is temporarily closed due to saftey concerns. The city posted online that the safety issue is the East wall of the facility. All delivery routes will stay the same. But those who have a PO box or need to physically go into the Post Office to mail something, will have to go to the post office in Green Castle. The City says the Mayor is in constant contact with the Postal Service to find a solution to this issue so residents can get their Post Office back. The city will be posting updates on their Facebook page.

New COVID-19 Cases in Adair County Hit 26 for 2nd Consecutive Day

Adair County’s overall COVID-19 case count passed the 3,000 mark yesterday and reached 26 new cases for the second consecutive day. The count now stands at 3,023 with 119 active cases and 2,876 people who have left isolation. Two of the new cases are in the higher education sector and 10 reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

COVID-19 Booster Shots Available in MO for Those With Compromised Immune Systems

The state Department of Health and Senior Services announced yesterday that immunocompromised people in Missouri can start to receive the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine this fall. According to Missouri DHSS, a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may be given to moderately to severely immunocompromised people. Conditions include: Organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressive medicine; and Cancer patients actively taking treatments affecting the immune system. See the full list on the Missouri DHSS website. Those elibigle can get there third doses at the same places they got the first and second doses.Those who do not meet the criteria for moderately to severely immunocompromised do not need a third dose at this time. Residents are advised to wait 28 days after their second dose before receiving a third shot.

New Bridge Opens on Missouri Route 15 North of Memphis

A new bridge is open, while another bridge is now closed in northeast Missouri. The new bridge over Foreman (Gunns) Branch on Missouri Route 15 in Scotland County just north of Memphis opened to traffic this week. The new bridge is 28 feet wide with three-foot shoulders. Route 15 closed at the bridge over Wyaconda River north of Route C Tuesday, so the contractor can construct a new bridge at that location.

Governor Announces Edith Harrington as Bicentennial Inaugural Parade Grand Marshal

A northeast Missouri woman has been named as the 2021 Bicentennial Inaugural Parade Grand Marshal. Governor Mike Parson announced Edith Harrington, a World War II United States Cadet Nurse Corps member will be the the Parade Marshal for the historic Bicentennial Inaugural Parade on September 18th.Harrington, who lives in Macon, graduated from Atlanta High School in 1937 and enrolled in pre-nursing courses at Kirksville State Teachers College. She then went on to complete her training at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she cared for wounded and sick U.S. Navy soldiers at Columbia Hospital. She also enrolled in and served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. Parson said Harrington served her country honorably and cared for our military service members during WWII, and she represents some of the best qualities an American and a Missourian can have.